A 19-year-old girl is desperately appealing for help to secure a safe and dignified home for her family, who are currently living in a severely dilapidated single-room structure.

Precious Chiloane shares the crumbling room with her mother and two brothers, aged four and 26.

The family’s living conditions are dire, with no privacy and a lack of basic amenities.

ALSO READ: St Anne Solidarity in Mbombela gathers to honour strength of women

“The situation is bad – we all have to share one room. We bath, cook and sleep in the same space. The worst part is that when we need to bath, the others must sit outside, even if it’s cold or raining,” she said.

Chiloane added that the cramped conditions have negatively affected both her and her younger brother’s school performance. They are often mocked by other learners, and the lack of space makes it difficult to complete homework or study.

“I am pleading with local businesses and the government to please build us a house or help fix the one we have, so we can live with dignity. My mother cannot afford to build a house, and our relatives cannot take us in. We need to be under one roof as a family,” she said.

Chiloane hopes her story will reach kind-hearted individuals or organisations willing to provide a safe and stable environment for her family.

ALSO READ: Local news Community safety MEC launches Operation Basadi in Kaapmuiden

Meanwhile, the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality spokesperson, Fhumulani Thovhakale, advised Chiloane to contact her ward councillor, who can submit the family’s request to the municipal housing department.

“Once the councillor submits the request, the municipality will assess the family’s circumstances to determine whether urgent housing assistance is needed,” said Thovhakale.

“They will then be placed on a list according to the level of need. In most cases, if the situation is critical, we ensure they receive a house, as we have different categories for housing support.”